Redhawk cheerleaders clean up at fundraiser

July 20, 2001|By Jack McCarthy. Special to the Tribune.

The pace has been one car at a time for Naperville Central cheerleaders this summer.

But the effort they've made washing dozens of vehicles for cash donations has been worth it for Redhawk the junior varsity cheerleaders working outside the Naperville Wal-Mart on Saturday. They've apparently raised enough money to attend a cheerleading camp.

The three-hour carwash--their second of the summer--was the latest of their fundraising efforts that help pay for cheerleading activities--including a four-day camp this month in Gurnee.

"The fundraising goes for camps and for uniforms," said Renee McKeighan, a cheerleader mom who supervised the morning junior varsity and an afternoon varsity carwash. "The cheerleaders and pompon girls are not funded like a sport [by the schools] so we fund ourselves.

"We also sell raffle tickets, we sell 50-50 [split the pot] and even sell parking at the [Labor Day] Last Fling. We use Central's parking lot and ask for a donation."

Working under sunny conditions and armed with buckets, soap and hoses provided by the store, most of the 16 junior varsity cheerleaders concentrated on washing vehicles. Several others stood near the store entrance trying to corral customers.

Kara Kirkley, an incoming freshman involved in competitive cheerleading for seven years, said she enjoys the camaraderie of working and socializing with her cheerleading friends.

"It's fun," she said. "Carwashes like this and sleepovers we have [help create] a bond with everyone."

Located in a high-traffic spot just south of the store's entrance, the cheerleaders handled a steady stream of customers who contributed anywhere from a few dollars all the way to the generous, anonymous driver who donated a crisp $100 bill.

McKeighan said they hoped to raise about $700, matching the proceeds of a June carwash.

Along with providing the space, water and cleaning materials, the store also pledged a donation.

"Wal-Mart will match whatever you make, up to $1,000," McKeighan said.

The Gurnee cheerleading camp will emphasize skills, conditioning and also offer the chance for teams to compete. Some of the money also will help pay for an August camp at Naperville Central that will feature instruction from the University of Kentucky cheerleaders.